Review North Mono 2016

Rider profile

Riders who are looking for a simple, durable & easy handling freeride kite? Try the Mono

Designers goals (manufacturer text)

We are always on the lookout for innovative ways to design and achieve outstanding products, so our team investigated the potential of a lighter kite with fewer struts. Introducing the Mono, the newest family member to the North Kiteboarding range who’s performance speaks for itself.

The Mono is a light wind specialist. It has an outstanding low end range, with the 5 m2 and 7 m2 models working particularity well with surfboards and lighter breezes. Use the power of the kite to catch the wave, then crank the depower and shred the wave with zero pull. Its light weight allows the kite to drift and hang in the air as you ride down the line; it also makes it the perfect travel companion. The Mono has a comfortable and forgiving feeling via the bar - softer than the Neo but still progressive. The turning speed is quick, and the kite is also great for Freeriding offering easy jumping and excellent hangtime. With relaunch abilities worthy of an applause, great power delivery and optimum sheet-and-go, you’re sure to fall in “love at first flight”.

Ideally paired with a larger twintip or wave board, in light-medium strength winds the Mono will blow you away! Test ride one today and be amazed.

Tested the Mono 9m on a twintip and hydrofoil. This
kite is perfect for starters. Nice feedback at the
edge of the windwindow, good stability and no
performance power like lift or boost. This
characteristic combination makes the Mono also
interesting for hydrofoilers. The drift. fast
steering and low-end windrange compliment the total
kitefeel package for foilers.
If you don't want a highend kite, try the mono. It's
a easy going kite.

Had a diverse kitesurf session. Starting foiling in
7 knots and ending playing around with a 140x40 twin
tip in 16 knots. I was surprised by the stability &
power of the Mono 12m in light wind. Always tension
on the steering lines, it felt like the Mono gave me
that extra time to get me on the board. Hold the
kite pressure for that famous second kite dive that
get's you going. Loved the kite feel in its low end.
Took the twintip when the wind picked up. Felt the
softness of the Mono in its high end. Lack of an
explosive boost and lift makes the kite great for
starters and first trick learners. You can make a
mistake without getting punished. So you have the
great low end, fast steering and drift for your
light wind foil sessions and the easy playing around
possibility to refresh the old twin tip rides again
:-)

I have tested the mono 5m in its low end and in
normal circumstances. In both cases other
kiteboarders were using 8/11m2 kites where i was
still fine on a 5m2. This is the first character
that really divines its power. Second thing is the
fine tuning of the mono. You can let the kite do
whatever you want when you ride the waves. With
precise handling you can let the kite sit back,
accelerate, loop on the spot, turn with increasing
power, or drift when its between 1-11.

Third thing that really popped up was its ability
when slightly depowered to crawl further in the edge
of the windwindow whilst holding its power allowing
you to ride even further upwind.

North came up with a new model with high performance
and precise handling which can be flown another size
smaller. A great kite for those looking for a next
level performance kite

The new Mono is a fast fly!
The description of North is; - "The Mono is a light
wind specialist. It has an outstanding low end
range, with the 5 m2 and 7 m2 models working
particularity well with surfboards and lighter
breezes." - I tested the Mono in 20 knots not really
a light breeze, but I was interested in its high end
behaviour using a strapless board. Well it feels
like a tuned up NEO.
Faster turning, better drift and more low end. This
new Mono allows you to take the wave instinctively.
Action is direct reaction! Going upwind? Search for
the right setting and the Mono drag you back into
the line up. It felt like the powerful Rhino2 (2002)
:-) , only with a depower option. Now I have to try
the new Mono under 20 knots. See if it works for
kids or foiling. If so, ... this new Mono is a real
2 faced Dragon!

During i was hydrofoiling and downwind wave riding i
had the choice to ride with the Mono.
Total under control with this kite, especially
by wind conditions from 8 knots with a 7m2. Felt
convendence
with this kite also by the thought that this
kite have only one strut. Backstalling still abit,
but by enough wind you will compensate this.
North made a kite that is suitable as a start
free ride kite! play with a hydrofoil, school kite
that is stable and launches easy and for the wave
riders that don't wanna pump a lot ;) also a
choice! Less performance like an Neo, but evolution
from a new type of a kite has started i can say!